Prayer changes things. The most effective prayers are not the ones which seek to change my situations and circumstances—the world and people around me; the most effective prayers are the ones that change ME.
Jonah gives us an example of both a prayer that makes room in his heart, and a prayer that shuts out room in his heart. We can learn from Jonah the ways in which our own hearts either make room for prayer, or shut out room for prayer.
What an amazing thing it is that God has made it possible for us to present with God by the indwelling of his Holy Spirit. In prayer, we can embrace the indwelling presence of God with us.
God invites us as his people to connect our hearts with his heart; a well-rounded rhythm of prayer with God helps us as disciples of Jesus to remain connected to God’s heart.
Prayer is a practice which brings us in union with God; sometimes the best way to begin embracing a life of prayer is to let others give you the words.
Prayer is not only the church’s way of expressing petitions to God; it is also God’s way of petitioning our hearts to receive his grace.